WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD) released the following statement after President Bush vetoed bipartisan legislation today extending health insurance to 10 million low-income American children:
“It is unfortunate, and indeed shameful, that President Bush has once again vetoed fiscally responsible, bipartisan legislation that would provide health insurance coverage to 10 million low-income American children. With this deeply misguided veto, the President stands not only as an impediment between millions of children and the health care they need and deserve, but also has broken his own campaign promise in 2004 to extend such coverage.
“For at least six weeks, Democratic leaders in Congress and senior Republicans such as Senators Grassley and Hatch have reached out to a group of House Republicans to try to craft an agreement that would be acceptable to both sides. While we continue to talk with House and Senate Republicans to achieve the goal of covering 10 million children, Congress must proceed with an extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program to ensure that no children who are currently covered lose their access to health care.”